Informative Report
Informative Report
Informative Report
Oceans, which cover 70% of our planet's surface, play a vital role in the health of our
world and its inhabitants. Our oceans, on the other hand, are being polluted by individuals
who carelessly dump their waste into the ocean or dispose of garbage in an incorrect manner,
resulting in junk being pushed into the ocean. Ocean dumping is defined as the discharge of
rubbish, sewage, waste chemicals, and building debris into the ocean. Hazardous materials,
on the other hand, are discharged into the water by tankers and ships. They're also being
dumped in coastal seas without permission. Other than that, the discharge of crude oil into the
water by cargo ships, both accidentally and intentionally, is one of the sources of marine
pollution.
More than 80% comes from land-based sources and reaches the oceans through rivers,
floods, and industrial emissions. Furthermore, litter items like 6-pack ring packaging and
microfilament fishing lines can actually harm pelicans and other seabirds, strangling or
starving them. Ingestion or entanglement of plastic garbage puts whales, dolphins, and other
marine creatures in danger. Plastic garbage is the most obvious type pollution in the ocean.
Every year, more than ten million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans. A massive amount of
plastic degrades into microplastic particles, which accumulate in coastal and deep-sea
sediments.
According to research, 52% of the world's turtles have consumed plastic garbage. The
reason is simple: a floating plastic bag can resemble a large number of jellyfish, algae, or
other organisms. For example, plastic bags, balloons, and containers are often mistaken for
jellyfish, which is their favourite food. Due to that, when turtles consume the plastic, it will
clog their intestines, causing them to die. Furthermore, Leatherback turtles are already
critically endangered due to human hunting of adult turtles and their eggs for food. Also,
plastic trash is a lethal threat to marine life that they should not have to deal with. The debris
causes injuries and illness when animals become tangled. Following nets behind seabirds,
turtles, dolphins, and seals exhausts them. These species can choke, suffocate, or react
negatively to illness over time. However,
OBJECTIVES
1. To raise the awareness among students regarding the harmful impact of ocean dumping
towards marine life.
2. To assists social groups and individuals in gaining a better understanding of marine life,
and also the methods in preserving the ocean.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
SWOT ANALYSIS
Strength Weakness
Increase awareness No physical involvement
Preserves marine life Lack of resources
Opportunities Threat
Waste Management Program Non-NGO
Participate In (or organize) a Beach Natural disasters
Clean-up
Explanation:
Strength
Increase awareness
The general public, industry, and politicians all seem to be aware of the environmental and
health risks associated with ocean plastic pollution. However, we human, still continue to
harm our oceans with massive amount of pollution each year which can damage the
ecosystem and marine lives. Due to that, an increase of awareness is one of our steps to
reduce ocean dumping. Giving community members knowledge such as how to recycle, use
reusable plastic products, and the importance of picking up trash and litter around beaches
will help raise awareness about the importance of our ocean and how to maintain it.
Preserves marine life
In ocean, plastic pollution impacts sea turtles, whales, seabirds, fish, coral reefs and countless
other marine species and habitats. This can endanger the marine life and also human. To
preserve marine life, we are promoting awareness about the significance of minimizing
plastic usage. For example, carry your own utensil or wooden spork, use a reusable water
bottle, or Eco bag as long as not to use plastic whenever possible.
Weakness
No physical involvement
Due to Covid-19 pandemic, any physical involvement or program cannot be conduct which is
one of our weaknesses. Any participation in a clean-up won’t be held, however, we can still
use other platform, such as social media platforms and also held a virtual awareness event. As
long as our goals in giving awareness and concern towards ocean and marine life is achieved,
as we strive for the best towards reducing the ocean dumping and preserve marine life.
Lack of resources
Because we conducted this project entirely online, we were unable to learn more about ocean
dumping and how it affects marine life physically such as participate in any event regarding
ocean and marine life. However, with the help of online websites, we can still make up for
the lack of information resources by reading a lot of articles. Information found online can
help us learn and understanding more about the importance of our ocean and its marine life.
Opportunities
Waste Management Program
The main issue with this programme is being carried out because of various issues arise when
tourist and community lack of environmental awareness about the ocean and marine lives. As
a result, this is our chance to educate the communities about the importance of reducing
ocean pollution and conserving marine life. We believe that by implementing this type of
programme, they would recognize the importance of our ocean and marine life in our life.
Participate In (or organize) a Beach Clean-up
Other opportunities are that participate in or organize a beach or waterway clean-up in your
neighbourhood to help remove plastics from the ocean and prevent them from entering in the
first place. Besides, they can make new acquaintances and learn more about ocean pollution
while enjoying cleaning up the ocean.
Threat
Non-governmental organization (NGO)
Because our programme is entirely virtual, NGOs that conduct their programmes in person
will gain greater benefits than we do, making them our threats. They would giving their best
and efforts in conducting their programs as they can have face to face interaction which lead
to a successful programme. Besides, people who joined them also can experience the
activities held by the NGO thus giving them the idea of how important it is to save our ocean
and preserve marine life.
Natural disasters
Natural disasters such as hurricane, tropical storms, tsunamis and landslides can produce
massive amount of ocean pollution. Even if we’re doing great. even if we do a great work
raising awareness, participating in or organizing an ocean clean-up program, and more, little
can be done once a natural disaster strikes, particularly flooding, which would undoubtedly
sweep rubbish from land back into the sea, producing pollution and endangering marine life.
These natural disasters are unavoidable, but there are some preventative measures which can
aid to minimize the damage. However, according to a new WWF report, the WWF is urging
governments to implement suitable protected areas and to preserve natural ecosystems such
as coastal mangroves, coral reefs, floodplains, and forests, which can act as natural disaster
barriers.
Solutions
1. Stricter regulations regarding ocean dumping
Although, depending on the respective country, there are some regulations regarding ocean
dumping in place (like the Environmental Quality Act 1974 in Malaysia.), overall global
regulation on the subject is still far too lax. Large volumes of garbage are allowed to be
dumped into our waters in many developing countries. We must put an end to this inadequate
regulation, and all countries must enact adequate legislation to address the issue of ocean
dumping and its negative consequences.
2. Higher fines for illegal dumping
Illegal dumping is a big problem in the context of ocean dumping since harmful or even toxic
substances may enter our oceans. Fines for illegal ocean dumping are still relatively minimal
in many nations. Many businesses are enticed to dump their industrial trash into the water
because they know the fines will be minimal even if they are caught.
3. Education
When it comes to combating ocean dumping, education is crucial. People need to be educated
about the negative consequences of ocean dumping and how we can help to change the
situation. Early schooling is necessary because children are more likely than adults to modify
their behaviour. Furthermore, because children have such a strong influence on their parents'
purchasing habits, parents will become more conscious of the issue and may adopt more
environmentally friendly behaviours in their daily lives. This small action could lead to a
larger movement to safeguard our environment from the negative impacts of marine dumping.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, human activities have severely impacted the marine life and ocean
quality. Many marine animals have been killed because they mistook these trashes for food.
Besides, this garbage also damages marine life by adhering to their bodies and preventing
them from swimming freely, preventing them from hunting for food and, as a result, killing
them. Marine life is not the only one affected by the pollution coral reef spot has been
dwindling in number in recent decade. Coral reef is very important in marine life and ocean
quality. Human need to know this effect can also affect them in one way or another thus we
need to inform the general public that our ocean is in danger and in need of their care.
Moreover, keeping the beaches clean is indeed a good idea because garbage on the beach has
a high probability of ending up in the water.
REFERENCES
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7. Oceanic Society. 28th May, 2021. 7 Ways to Reduce Ocean Plastic Pollution Today.
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